There are just two and a half months to go until the southern UK chalkstream trout fly fishing opens for dry fly hungry brown trout. We are frantically tying of dry flies and readying our equipment for opening day. If you are yet to plan your first few fishing trips there are some great openings in April for those looking to blow away the winter cobwebs.

Westfair Beat, Mayfly, chalkstream, river test, river anton, river avon,

April is an interesting time for chalkstream fly fishing, the first hatches are appearing but they are still condensed into the middle of the day. Good olive hatches are not uncommon as well as the first caddis of the year, the grannom. Both the olives and the grannom drive the trout crazy and it is not unusual to experience terrific dry fly action in the early part of the season.

Mayfly, chalkstream, river test, river anton, river avon,

It is also a great time to capitalise on the budding tree branches before they become too thick with leaves and begin to block access to the largest trout. The young leaves and new shoots of branches are also often kinder on fly loss, they can often bow easily allowing an overshot fly to just slide off safely (this is not a guarantee though!).

River Nadder, Chalkstream fishing, Berkshire, UK fishing guide

Whilst not all chalkstream fly fishing beats are open we have some great access in April to the River Test, Itchen, Anton, Avon, Kennet, Frome and their tributaries. See some of great days that are available below:

River Anton, Westfair Beat
Monday 6th April – up to 6 rods
Wednesday 8th April – up to 6 rods
Thursday 9th April – up to 6 rods
Friday 10th April – up to 6 rods
Saturday 11th April – up to 6 rods
Sunday 12th April – up to 6 rods
Monday 13th April – up to 6 rods
Tuesday 14th April – up to 6 rods
Wednesday 15th April – up to 6 rods
Thursday 16th April – up to 6 rods
Friday 17th April – up to 6 rods
Saturday 18th April – up to 6 rods
Sunday 19th April – up to 6 rods
Monday 20th April – up to 6 rods
Tuesday 21st April – up to 6 rods
Wednesday 22nd April – up to 6 rods
Thursday 23rd April – up to 6 rods
Friday 24th April – up to 6 rods
Sunday 26th April – up to 6 rods
Monday 27th April – up to 6 rods
Tuesday 28th April – up to 6 rods

River Anton, Westover
Monday 6th April – up to 2 rods
Tuesday 7th April – up to 4 rods
Wednesday 8th April – up to 8 rods
Thursday 9th April – up to 4 rods
Friday 10th April – up to 6 rods
Sunday 12th April – up to 2 rods
Monday 13th April – up to 4 rods
Tuesday 14th April – up to 4 rods
Wednesday 15th April – up to 2 rods
Thursday 16th April – up to 4 rods
Friday 17th April – up to 2 rods
Saturday 18th April – up to 2 rods
Sunday 19th April – up to 4 rods
Monday 20th April – up to 2 rods
Tuesday 21st April – up to 4 rods
Wednesday 22nd April – up to 8 rods
Thursday 23rd April – up to 4 rods
Friday 24th April – up to 6 rods
Sunday 26th April – up to 2 rods
Tuesday 28th April – up to 2 rods
Wednesday 29th April – up to 4 rods
Thursday 30th April – up to 8 rods

River Nadder, Compton Chamberlayne
Sunday 26th April – up to 4 rods
Monday 27th April – up to 4 rods
Tuesday 28th April – up to 4 rods
Wednesday 29th April – up to 4 rods
Thursday 30th April – up to 4 rods

Looking further ahead? View our latest mayfly availability here.

For more information about chalkstream fly fishing on these beats or others that are available in April please do not hesitate to contact Alex Jardine or Olly Thompson, alternatively call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.